Have you ever dreamt of leaving your daily chaotic life behind and going off to a remote valley, forgetting all worries and disturbances? If yes, then Ziro Valley could be the perfect escape plan for you. Ziro Valley tourism is certainly India’s answer to the lush green pastures of Switzerland with half the budget. Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro gives us an insight into the habitat, which includes green Pine Hills, rice fields, and some of the world’s most spellbinding tribal people.
The above describes a life that’s almost hard to picture in the 21st century. Exploring the remote and untrodden wilderness of the tribal land of North East India may be just the kind of kick you need.
Where is Ziro Valley and Why is it named “Ziro”?
Amid the forbidding mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro Valley is an enchanting holiday destination in North East India. The name Ziro comes from a group within the Apatani tribe that was the first to appear here but lives no longer. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. Well known for its shades of greenery, from light green paddy fields to dark green pastures, the mesmerizing beauty of the hill station is truly a sight to behold.
One of the Famous Places to Visit in Arunachal
Arunachal Pradesh, the unexplored paradise of North East India, is often referred to as ‘the last Shangri. The mountain state is surrounded by many intriguing hill stations such as Tawang, Ziro, Bombdila, Itanagar, and Pasighat. Among these, Ziro Valley always belongs to the top of the tourist’s favorite spots. The best advantage of traveling to Ziro is its pleasant weather throughout the year. The scenic breathtaking beauty never fails to mesmerize nature lover travelers. Even the best cameras fail to capture every angle and every view of the hues of Ziro.
7 Best Places to See in Ziro Valley
Here are the top 7 unique sightseeing spots to visit in Ziro-
- Meghna Cave Temple- Meghna Cave temple should be on the ‘must visit’ list in Ziro. Surrounded by majestic mountains and dark green forests, the 5000-year-old temple is a stunning view for the visitor’s eyes.
- Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary- Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the leading attractions of Ziro. The sanctuary is the habitat of various endangered species. Far from human civilization, the flora and fauna of dense forest is the home of Silver fir trees, Orchids, a stunning range of bamboo and pine groves.
- Tarin Fish Farm- Tarin Fish Farm is situated at a high altitude among pine and bamboo groves. It is a popular tourist attraction due to the high-altitude fish bred.
- Kile Pakho- The perfect spot for nature lovers is the scenic beauty of Kile Pakho. You could climb this ridge to soak in the amazing snow-clad Himalayan views.
- Ziro Puto- The ridge Ziro Puto or Army Puto was established as an army cantonment during the 1960’s. Ziro Puto offers a spectacular view of the entire Ziro valley.
- Midey- Beside showcasing long and blue pine trees of Apatani valley, this is a perfect spot for adventure loving tourists as it offers hiking and trekking.
- Dolo Mando- The hillock Dolo Mando is situated in the west side of Ziro. It is a total treat to eye of the visitors as the Hapoli town view from here is stunning. Also, if you are looking for some high hill trekking, you should consider this place first in your checklist.
Popular Festivals of Ziro Valley
The festival seasons are the best time to visit Ziro valley tourism. These socio-cultural celebrations add to the reason why one should visit Ziro.
1. Ziro Music Festival
In the month of September, this 4-day festival attracts people from all over the world. If you are a music lover, you don’t want to miss the chance to enjoy every genre of music here, from Indie to rock. Amidst the pandemic, this festival is going to be celebrated virtually this year, which proves that ‘music never stops.
2. Hornbill Festival
Hornbill festival is also known as “festivals of all festivals”, is a grand celebration that is brought to life annually in Nagaland. The festival takes place in Kohima and stretches the span from 1st December to 7th December. The festival is filled with various food items, traditional musical concerts, dance, crafts, games, and forms of entertainment to keep the spirits of the festival going. Tourists are welcome to take part in this joyous celebration.
3. Siang River Festival
The Siang River Festival is held to celebrate tribal harmony. It offers a lot of fun activities including elephant race, boat race, folk dance, cultural shows, and many more.
4. Pangsu Pass Winter festival
Pangsua Pass Winter Festival (PPWF) is a 3day celebration that takes place in the month of January every year. At this festival, local people perform folk dance and folk songs. It put together the tribes of North East India and Myanmar and showcase their culture and tradition to each other. Undoubtedly it is a one-time opportunity for the visitors to see such a wonderful joint hilly celebration.
Away from the modern civilization and 4G signals, few days amid the shades of greenery will surely rejuvenate you. So, why go to Switzerland when you can all have this and more in your very own India?
